Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Noon to 1:00 pm

Herberger Center for Design Research

College of Design South–Room 126

Light refreshments available

Please join us for an engaging hour of presentations and Q&A as two college faculty members share work conducted in their research area of interest. This month’s speakers are:

Thomas Morton, Assistant Professor, School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture

Integrating the Center and Periphery to Blur the Boundaries: Regionalist Architecture in Roman North Africa

Writing about critical regionalism in contemporary architecture, several architectural theoreticians have posited that architecture should explore regional variations and respond to place, climate, and local technologies. One can make a parallel between this theory and the architecture that was constructed during the Roman Empire. While a fair amount of aptly called “urban furniture” existed in the Roman Empire, considerable variation occurred on the local and regional level, especially in North Africa. Utilizing archaeological evidence and drawing upon parallels in contemporary architectural theory, this talk examines civic identities of Roman architecture in North Africa. Meninx, the most prominent Roman city on the Tunisian island of Jerba, will be the focus of this study.

Katherine Crewe, Associate Professor, School of Planning

Alternative Urban Environments

Professor Crewe will discuss work done during her travels throughout Australia, Singapore, and South India while on sabbatical leave in 2006. Her studies are contributing towards a book, coauthored with Professor Ann Forsyth from Cornell University, on alternative (and buildable!) urban environments. There is a particular focus on ecological sustainability, community, social and economic diversity, and new technologies.

Students, faculty, and staff welcome!

Faculty: If you are interested in sharing your research, please contact Janet Holston.